What Floyd Mayweather vs Conor McGregor shows us about specialism vs generalism?

Geison
Geison
Aug 27, 2017 · 2 min read
Floyd Mayweather vs Conor McGregor

Well, it is not a surprise that all fighting sports fans were anxiously watching the Floyd Mayweather vs Conor McGregor this weekend but what not everyone were expecting is that, this fighting will show a lesson about specialism vs generalism!


Let's explain what exactly is generalism and specialism:

According to the dictionary generalism means:

  • the practice of studying many different things rather than specializing in one subject.

According to the dictionary specialism means:

  • the act of specializing, or pursuing a particular line of study or work;
  • Biology. the adaptation of an organism or organ to a special functionor environment;
  • the act of being restricted to some specific, or the act of becoming specialized.

The Choice

In the path of our professional career, it will be necessary to perform self-assessment, in order to discover which of these paths we would like to follow.

For example, a doctor could be a very good general practitioner doctor being a generalist but would also prefer specializing in disorders of the heart and blood vessels becoming a cardiology specialist.

The attorneys could be generalists or specialized in some areas like bankruptcy, criminal or computer laws.

Software Engineers could be briefly divided at generalist full-stack engineers or specialized frontend or backend engineers.


Conclusion

So, following this idea, it is possible to say that Mayweather won, because he takes more time and focus of his live becoming specialized in boxing style while McGregor had his focus in a more generalized MMA training, what gave him enough knowledge to fight boxe, but not enough proficiency to beat a specialist.

My idea with this article is not to say that specialists are better than generalists since both Mayweather and McGregor are two great cases of success as the same as Apple and Samsung when talking about succeeded specialist and generalist companies.

Thus, the main idea I would plant in your mind is:

"There are two paths to follow, the generalism and specialism, which one you will chose to follow?"


Find this useful? Then click on the ❤ button below to help spread the word, and leave a comment below.

I will be glad to hear your comments and ideas about your choice.

Geison Goes
Senior Consulting Engineer at
ThoughtWorks
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Geison

Written by

Geison

Software Craftsman, traveller, dog trainer and Husband.

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